ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Steel
Steel Minister Shri Ram Chandra Prasad Singh Visits NMDC’s Diamond Mines and Exploration Camp Panna
The Union Minister of Steel, Shri Ram Chandra Prasad Singh has reviewed the status of the Diamond Mining Project, Panna today during the visit and advised to be operation ready for a quick ramp up and restoration of normal operations once the approval from Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and other relevant approvals are received.
The Steel Minister spent the day on field and while addressing the officials he said, "Environment and development should go hand-in hand and the efforts taken by NMDC Ltd. towards maintaining this synergy is highly appreciable. The highest GDP growth rate of 8.7% in FY2021-22 among major economies was possible due to contribution of organizations like NMDC Ltd.”
He was accompanied by Shri Sumit Deb, Chairman cum Managing Director of NMDC Ltd., and senior official from Ministry of Steel.
Welcoming the Minister to the company’s exploration facility and Diamond mines, CMD Shri Deb shared details like the background of the project since inception, the type of ore, its processing process, types of diamond produced and the potential diamond reserve at Majhgawan.
Earlier yesterday Shri Ram Chandra Prasad Singh inspected the exploration facilities at NMDC Panna Diamond centre. It is the only diamond exploration centre in the country. Further, on the occasion of World Environment Day, the Minister of Steel has also done the plantation at the centre and administered oath to the NMDC employees for environmental protection.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
All major ports organize exhibitions as part of ongoing Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav - Iconic Week
As part of ongoing Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav - Iconic Week being celebrated by Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Exhibitions were organized by all Major Ports/ Organizations depicting 75 Years of Development of their Ports .
Paradip Port Chairman inaugurated a Rath depicting 60 years of development that Paradip Port. Stunning masterpieces of sand art were also created at Paradip beach to mark the iconic week.
Deendayal Port Authority organized an Exhibition depicting growth and developmental activities of the Port, Short Film depicting growth of the Port is being shown through LED screen; and the Standies/Banners displayed at the Exhibition contain the details of growth and developmental activities of the Port. Besides, Identity Cards containing brief details of Iconic Week of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav are also being distributed to the visitors. Further, Brochures containing details of developmental activities are being distributed to the visitors, apart from briefing and clarifications of queries to the visitors by Port officials.
V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, Tuticorin, JNPA,Mumbai and other ports and organistions also held exhibitions.
MJPS
(Visitor Counter : 876
Ministry of Home Affairs
Tribute to Martyrs of Police Forces by ITBP at National Police Memorial
The Union Minister of State for Home Sh Kiren Rijiju, and Director General , ITBP, Sh R. K. Pachnanda paid floral tribute to Police Martyrs at National Police Memorial, Chanakyapuri, New Delh today at a programme ‘An Ode to Martyrs’ organised by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police . The occasion witnessed the March past and Shraddhanjali by ITBP marching contingent and band. Women commando contingent, Ski contingent, regular contingent and para troopers saluted the memorial through a march past. Women band presented a special display on the occasion.
The programme concluded with the tune ‘Abide with me’. Hundreds of CAPFs, CPOs and Delhi Police personnel were present on the occasion.
ITBP primarily guards the tough Himalayan frontiers of the Nation. The Force has recently completed 56 years of its raising.
Ministry of Education
Government approves the continuation of National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship  for a period of five years
Government has approved the continuation of Central Sector National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship  over the 15th Finance Commission cycle for a period of five years i.e. from 2021-22 to 2025-26 with financial outlay of Rs. 1827.00 crore with minor modifications in eligibility criteria such as increasing income ceiling from Rs.1.5 lakh per annum to Rs.3.5 lakh per annum and revising the renewal criteria under the scheme.
The objective of the scheme is to award scholarships to meritorious students of economically weaker sections to arrest their drop-out at class VIII and encourage them to continue their education at secondary stage.
One lakh fresh scholarships of Rs.12,000/- per annum  per student are awarded to selected students of class IX every year and their continuation/renewal in classes X to XII for study in State Government, Government-aided and Local body schools under the scheme. Students are selected for award of scholarships through an examination conducted by the State/ UT Governments. The scheme is boarded on the National Scholarship Portal . Scholarships are disbursed directly into the bank accounts of students by electronic transfer through Public Financial Management System  following DBT mode. 100% funds under the scheme are provided by Central Government.
This is a continuing scheme and since launch of the scheme in 2008-09, 22.06 lakh scholarships have been sanctioned till 2020-21 involving an expenditure of Rs. 1783.03 crore.
It is proposed to disburse scholarships to 14.76 lakh students with the financial outlay of Rs.1827.00 crores approved for the scheme.
AYUSH
Union Minister of Ayush visits the National Institute of Naturopathy, Pune
Naturopathy is playing an important role in improving holistic health of human beings: Shri Sarbananda Sonowal
The Union Minister of Ayush Shri Sarbananda Sonowal visited the National Institute of Naturopathy, Pune  today. Shri Sonowal took overview of various ongoing activities of the Institute. Prof. Dr. K. Satya Lakshmi, Director, NIN, Pune gave a detailed presentation on ongoing activities of the organization. The Minister also interacted with staff and students of the institute.
On this occasion, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “Ayush system has been accepted widely and offered many things to the humanity and has potential to deliver even more. Our Prime Minister has taken the Ayush sector far ahead with his tireless efforts like creating an independent ministry and instilling a sense of respect for India in every person of the world through yoga.”
He added that people of India are united under “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” and the dream of self-reliant India is definitely going to be fulfilled very soon. The Ministry of Ayush and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare are now working together and are committed with full devotion.
National Institute of Naturopathy is also known as ‘Bapu Bhawan’ which is situated at Tadiwala Road, Pune. Whenever Mahatma Gandhi used to come to Pune, he used to make this institute his residence. He resided here for about 156 days at various intervals and also did various experiments on naturopathy.
Election Commission
ECI to host the 2nd International Conference on ‘Use of Technology and Elections Integrity’ as the lead for the Cohort on ‘Election Integrity’
The Election Commission of India  is hosting the 2nd International Conference on the theme ‘Use of Technology and Elections Integrity’ at New Delhi on 23-24 January, 2023. ECI is leading the Cohort on Elections Integrity which was established as a follow up to the ‘Summit for Democracy’ held virtually in December, 2021. The first international conference of the Cohort was organized on 31 Oct – 01 Nov, 2022 at New Delhi on the topic ‘Role, Framework and Capacity of Election Management Bodies’ where nearly 50 representatives from the Election Management Bodies  of 11 countries participated.
The two-day international conference will be inaugurated by Chief Election Commissioner of India Shri Rajiv Kumar. The concluding session will be chaired by Election Commissioner of India, Shri Anup Chandra Pandey. Shri Arun Goel, Election Commissioner of India will chair the first technical session. ECI, as the lead for the Cohort on ‘Election Integrity’, took a collaborative approach and invited Greece, Mauritius and IFES to be co-leads for the Cohort. ECI has invited International Foundation for Electoral Systems and International IDEA, apart from EMBs and Government counterparts dealing with the conduct of elections worldwide.
Around 43 Participants from 17 Countries/EMBs including Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Chile, Croatia, Dominica, Fiji, Georgia, Indonesia, Kiribati, Mauritius, Nepal, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines and Suriname and 06 participants from international organisations namely, IFES, International IDEA are expected to join. The representatives from a number of foreign missions located at New Delhi are also expected to attend the conference.
Background:
‘Summit for Democracy’, was an initiative of US President and hosted in December 2021. The Prime Minister of India spoke at the Leaders Plenary Session on December 9, 2021. Following this Summit, a "Year of Action" was proposed with events and dialogues on themes related to Democracy. The Summit also developed two platforms - ‘Focal Groups’ and ‘Democracy Cohorts’ to facilitate participation in the Year of Action. The 2nd Summit for Democracy is scheduled to be held on 29- 30 March 2023 and co-hosted by governments of Costa Rica, Rep. of Korea, Netherlands, Zambia and the US.
As part of the ‘Summit for Democracy’ Year of Action, India through the ECI, is leading the ‘Democracy Cohort on Election Integrity’ to share its knowledge, technical expertise and experiences with other democracies of the world. ECI, as its lead, has proposed to also provide training and capacity building programmes to Election Management Bodies  across the world and provide technical consultancy as per needs of other EMBs.
Special Service and Features
President Shri Ram Nath Kovind will arrive in Kerala tomorrow for an official visit
Kochi, December 20, 2021
President Shri Ram Nath Kovind will pay an official visit to Kerala from tomorrow . Shri Ram Nath Kovind will be the chief guest at the 5th Convocation of the Central University of Kerala to be held at Kasaragod Periya Campus tomorrow. The event will be held from 3.30 pm at a specially prepared venue. Kerala Governor Shri Arif Mohammad Khan and State Local Self Government and Excise Minister Shri M. V. Govindan will also attend the event
The Convocation ceremony of the 2018-2020 batch is being conducted this year. 742 students are graduating.
The President will then proceed to Kochi and attend various functions at the Naval Base on December 22. He will witness Operational Demonstration by the Southern Naval Command and visit Vikrant Cell.
The President, who will arrive in Thiruvananthapuram from Kochi on the morning of December 23, will attend an event organized by the PN Panicker Foundation there.
(Visitor Counter : 58
Ministry of Defence
COAST GUARD SEIZES 2000 KG SEA CUCUMBER
In a swift operation, the Indian Coast Guard  team at Mandapam, Tamilnadu seized two tonnes of sea cucumber, a banned marine species. Working on a tip-off about illegal transhipment of sea cucumber in the wee hours of 19 Sep, the ICG team swung into action and tracked the suspect boat involved in likely smuggling. ICG teams were deployed in Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay areas to effectively cordon the likely escape by sea route.
Subsequently, the boat was found anchored about 15 kms off Vedalai South of Mandapam without its crew at 10.30 am on Sunday and boarded by team of Coast Guard. The boarding team of ICG Hovercraft H-183 recovered 200 gunny bags of sea cucumber weighing 2000 kg. The boat alongwith seized sea cucumbers was brought to Mandapam near Rameshwaram, Tamilnadu and handed over to forest Officials. The value of seized sea cucumbers is reported to be about 8 Crores INR.
On investigation, it was revealed that the consignment was planned for transhipment across the International Maritime Boundary Line during dark hours. Sea cucumbers are in high demand in China and Southeast Asia. It may be recalled that earlier in the month of July, Coast Guard team at Mandapam had seized about 1200 kg of sea cucumber and apprehended two personnel.
Sea cucumber in India is treated as an endangered species listed under schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. It is primarily smuggled from Tamil Nadu to Sri Lanka in fishing vessels from Ramanathapuram and Tuticorin districts.
ABB/DK
(Visitor Counter : 2533
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in States/UTs
More than 149.70 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 16.93 Crore balance and unutilized vaccine doses still available with States/UTs
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The nationwide COVID 19 vaccination started on 16th January 2021. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
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VACCINE DOSES
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SUPPLIED
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1,49,70,76,985
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BALANCE AVAILABLE
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16,93,09,031
More than 149.70 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt. of India  and through direct state procurement category.
More than 16.93 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Shri Radha Mohan Singh Distributes Electric Chaak to 150 Kumhar Families in Bihar under KVIC's Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana
In a major step towards creating sustainable self-employment, Khadi and Village Industries Commission  today distributed electric potter wheels  to 150 potter families in East Champaran district in Bihar. Member of Parliament and former Union Agriculture Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singh distributed electric chaak and other equipment like blunger machines and pug mills to the potters in presence of KVIC Chairman Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena. The beneficiaries who were given electric chaak after comprehensive 10-day training also include migrant workers who have returned to their home town facing financial distress in the Covid-19 Lockdown. This initiative will benefit nearly 600 persons of the Kumhar community in East Champaran district.
The pottery equipment have been distributed under Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana of the KVIC which aims at strengthening the marginalized potters’ community and increasing their income by enhancing their productivity. KVIC has set a target of distributing 500 electric chaak in Bihar in order to empower the potters’ community and create local livelihood opportunities.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Radha Mohan Singh thanked the Prime Minister for initiating such schemes through KVIC to benefit the poor. He lauded KVIC for undertaking the employment generation programs in Bihar. He said KVIC’s schemes like Honey Mission and Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana had the potential of creating large-scale employment in the state which has a vast rural population. “With such employment generating schemes of the Central government, the youth of Bihar will no longer have to migrate to other states in search of jobs,” Shri Singh said.
KVIC Chairman said there is a great employment potential for potters in Bihar. “By providing them with pottery training, the KVIC is creating employment at doorsteps for these people. While this will help us revive the art of pottery, it will also increase the income of the potter's community by 4-5 times,” Saxena said. He further said the KVIC will also roll out new initiatives like empowerment of leather artisans  and Project DigniTEA in Bihar for creating sustainable employment soon. Under Project DiniTEA, KVIC distributes cycle-mounted tea/coffee selling units to unemployed youth where the beneficiaries can sell tea/coffee in a hygienic condition and earn respectable livelihood.
Under Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana, KVIC has distributed more than 17,000 electric chaak to potters’ community across the country and thus benefitting over 70,000 people through this scheme.
Ministry of Finance
Customs seizes smuggled textiles worth Rs 3.3 crore on fishing trawler to Bangladesh
On the basis of Specific Intelligence, a fishing trawler was intercepted by the officers of the Commissionerate of Customs  West Bengal, in the intervening night of 06-09-2020 & 07-09-2020, which was coming from Diamond Harbour towards Sagar Island.
As per intelligence was to cross over to Bangladesh using an unauthorised riverine route and channel, carrying goods of Indian Origin in the guise of fishing. The officers of Customs with the support of Coast Guard had kept a vigil from various strategic points.
The fishing trawler was identified from a distance on the said route but the trawler changed the route and attempted to escape after noticing the official vessels. They were eventually intercepted near Geonkhali. The persons on board abandoned the trawler and jumped into the waters and attempted to flee but 6 of them were subsequently arrested with the help from Indian Coast Guard and the local police.
Upon search of the trawler, various incriminating documents along with identity cards of certain Bangladeshi and Indian nationals were found. Mobile phones with Bangladeshi SIM cards and personal effects, all made in Bangladesh, were recovered. The trawler also had flags of Bangladesh and it appears that the same would have been displayed after they had illegally crossed the International border.
The persons on board the trawler were engaging in smuggling of Sarees/Garments concealed inside the trawler in about 400 gunny bags having a value of Rs. 3.3 crore approximately. Interrogation of the arrested persons confirmed that the vessel was heading to cross over to Bangladesh through an unauthorised route with an intention to smuggle Indian goods to Bangladesh. Further investigation in the matter is under process.
This interception has revealed that all these unauthorised routes are being closely monitored by Government Agencies to prevent any illegal activities and in the interest of national security.
This is one of the biggest seizure in the recent past, involving the smuggling of export goods to Bangladesh.
Ministry of Finance
Income Tax Department detects Benami business of running of petrol outlets in Meghalaya
In a swift and coordinated action on Friday, 2nd August 2019, the Investigation Wing of Income Tax Department, NER carried out searches on certain businessmen in Meghalaya found to be involved in running a web of petrol pumps managed and controlled as benami properties. These persons were depriving the State Government of legitimate revenue by suppressing sales and non-deposit of local taxes collected, while also indulging in massive evasion of income tax by misusing exemption under Section 10 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 meant for tribal persons.
In the enforcement operation that commenced in the early hours and went on till wee hours of the next day, more than Rs 2 crore of unaccounted cash alongwith incriminating documents have been seized by officials of the Department. The cash found was hidden in unexpected places like water tanks.
This search by the Department was a much needed action on a long existing racket run by some unscrupulous elements exploiting local citizens of Meghalaya and avoiding paying income tax using tribal persons who are exempted from income tax, as a front. The pre-search investigation involved extensive surveillance and covert enquiries which were continuing for over a year.
Following the searches exposing these benami petrol pumps, the Executive Committee  member of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council  in-charge of trade, announced to the media on the 8th of August, 2019 that urgent steps will be taken to prevent benami transactions in the State. He noted that despite the law, benami transactions are thriving due to collusion between some local people and their non-tribal business partners. The KHADC is a statutory autonomous body which regulates various aspects of trade and commerce in Meghalaya.
The action taken by the Department has been widely appreciated by the public and also local authorities as a timely and positive step that will help to control the menace of benami commercial activities, as well as augment Government revenues.
Prime Minister's Office
PM inaugurates Parakram Parv, pays homage to martyrs at Konark War Memorial
(The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, arrived in Jodhpur today to attend the Combined Commanders Conference.
He inspected a tri-services guard of honour on arrival at the Air Force Station in Jodhpur.
He paid homage to martyrs at Konark War Memorial. In the visitors book, the Prime Minister wrote that the country is proud of the Armed Forces who are dedicated and committed to protecting the Motherland. He also recalled and paid homage to the braves who have made the supreme sacrifice, and are symbols of inspiration, for generations.
At Konark Stadium, the Prime Minister inaugurated the Parakram Parv. He witnessed an exhibition set up on this occasion.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
33.57 Cr. Vaccine Doses administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
India reports 48,786 new cases in last 24 hours
India's Active Caseload declines to 5,23,257
Active cases constitute 1.72% of total cases
2,94,88,918 Total Recoveries across the country so far
61,588 patients recovered during last 24 hours
Daily recoveries continue to outnumber the Daily New Cases for the 49th consecutive day
Recovery Rate increases to 96.97%
Weekly Positivity Rate remains below 5%, currently at 2.64%
Daily positivity rate at 2.54%, less than 5% for 24 consecutive days
Testing capacity substantially ramped up – 41.20 cr tests total conducted
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
Rojgar Mela
A Rojgar Mela is part of a placement outreach strategy to fast-track the interaction between employers and job seekers. RojgarMelas are conducted by National Skill Development Corporation , PradhanMantriKaushalKendras , Sector Skill Councils  and Training Providers  under the aegis of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. It is an event where skill trained candidates and employers are brought to a common platform to ensure best recruitment / selection choices for an employer and appropriate job opportunities for a skill trained candidate.
A total of 1,576 RojgarMelas have been conducted in the country. Out of these, 12 RojgarMelas have been conducted in Bhopal constituency in seven sectors, namely, Retail, Agriculture, Beauty and Wellness, Information and Technology and Tourism and Hospitality for the period of 2018-20. Further, after the onset of Covid-19 pandemic and due to the social distancing guidelines, no new RojgarMelas have been conducted so far.
A total of 2,54,267 candidates have been shortlisted for various job offerings through 1,576 RojgarMelas conducted across the country. Out of these, 795 candidates had been shortlisted for various job openings in the Bhopal constituency.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.